In-Box Review

A brief history of Werner's Wings

Floyd Werner of Werners Wings is a fairly new aftermarket resin and decal company. And in the past year many new products were released for the Cobra and OH-58D Kiowa Warrior including decals.

Werner Wings came about while Floyd was looking to build the AH-1F Cobra. At the time Cobra Company and Fireball Modelworks made resin aftermarket parts but none of which Floyd was looking for. So he decided join the aftermarket ranks and help out the helicopter modeling community. He has also won countless awards in both regional and national shows and most recently Squadron/Signal Publications published his book “OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Walk Around.”

Product Review

In the set we’ll be looking at the 1:48th AH-1F IPS & Debris Deflectors set for the 1/48th scale Monogram AH-1S Cobra attack helicopter kit.

The set came in a clear 5x4 zip-lock bag with a single two sided instruction sheet and four resin pieces on two resin spure blocks. Included on the instruction sheet are black and white photos that help illustrate of what parts are needed to be removed and modified.

After reading the instruction at first I felt a bit confused. So I went and pulled out a Monogram Cobra and took out the parts listed on the instruction sheet along with the resin pieces. Having them in hand while reading the instructions over it all became clear how everything is fitted together. The parts are molded in light gray resin, smooth casting and free of any sink holes or air bubbles. All the little swirl tube holes in the IPS are clean of any flash, also they’re marked left and right on the pour block.

The resin parts included are for the following:

1 - The Improved/Inlet Particle Separator (IPS) works to prevent particles from entering the turbine engine. The enclosure contains several inertial separation “swirl tubes” which upon air entering air cleaner tube is giving a swirl motion causing the heavier dirt particles to be thrown outward by centrifugal force and thrown overboard under high pressure air.

2 - The Debris Deflector was designed to allow the shooting of the Mk.66 rocket motors after an unfortunate accident killing a pilot at a Ft. Bliss gun range; the Army restricted the Cobras from firing the Mk.66 rockets. After testing it was found that the rockets caused a massive surge which disrupted the air flow when leaving the tubes and sucking the air from the engine causing the aircraft to jerk. The Debris Deflector allowed the rockets to be fired without restrictions.

The parts are designed easy enough to use with a few small modifications. The IPS filter will remove without any problems while care and caution is needed while removing the debris deflectors from the pour block. Still while following the instructions you should have no problems.

Conclusion

Although he’s retired from the Army, Floyd still can be found in the air. He is currently flying for the Baltimore Police Department in an EC-120 Eurocopter. During his 21 years of service Floyd flew multiple tours in Iraq, Bosnia, Korea, and Germany under the canopies of the Kiowa Warrior and Cobra. So if you’re ever in the Baltimore area be sure to look up and give a wave to Floyd, I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.

I’d like to give thanks to Floyd for giving us the samples for review on AeroScale.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AeroScale.

SUMMARY

Highs: Designed for the 1/48th Monogram AH-1S Cobra, this set will also work with the re-boxed Revell-Germany AH-1S Cobra or the Fujimi Cobra release. Though the AH-1F Cobra is retired this set will update it into its final configuration.Lows: Care is needed when removing the debris deflectors from the pour block.Verdict: Here’s your chance to finalize one of the last attack helicopter the Army had in its inventory. Werner’s Wings also has a great selection of resin parts to further update and detail the AH-1F Cobra. Be sure to check over at www.wernerswings.com for these

Our Thanks to Werner's Wings!This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.